jon v8

Spud,that is quite an aggresive manner you have there and seem very sure about what I do and the bike I ride... Why do you suggest that I am OK riding a modified bike,but want to force everyone else to ride something lesser ? Are you saying that because I use an electronic mag that my bike is only fit for a specials class ? If you had ever ridden one of the trials that I ran for Bath Classic MCC you would actually know what I'm about.I spent 5 years running trials that HAD to be welcoming to old bikes and / or older or less experienced riders. I can't remember one section we marked out that couldn't have been ridden by a 54" wheelbase 300 lb bike,esp our B route. THAT is the key to Pre65 trials,marking out sensible sections,nothing tight or dangerous.Then advertise it - welcome people along and ensure that the trial is what you advertise.The English weather may not always be on your side,but you can only look at the forecasts and bear them in mind.I'd like to think that in the main part I managed to do what I said I would,and I'm planning to do more.I can assure you that any trial I put my name to will be friendly to long, low and heavy Pre 65er's. As for the Talmag, I stand by what I said,its a joke,they make great fuss in the regs about banning electronic ignition and then when you go there nobody gives a monkeys.Last year I reckon well over half the bikes there had electronic ignition - tell me how that works ? If you like proper Pre65 bikes, the Arbuthnot has a better turnout of more original bikes and being a road based trial,to me makes for a better day out. In terms of ignition,I'm more than happy to use an ordinary mag, its getting hard to find decent points for them without getting ripped off.(But for now I'd rather have a painless knee) I recently missed out on an AVO Douglas Mk6 which would have taken me to a higher level in mag maintenance,shame it would have been a nice addition,but again I'm not going to pay silly money... So you want to ride amongst others on original Pre65's, you may be lucky and have a shedful of them - most of us don't and have to pay the money,or build from what parts we can get.Just looking at the back page of the September issue of Jampot there is a smart 1940 G3 Matchbox on girders,just like the one I had - £7000 and its yours. A few weeks back a mate bought a particular original rigid frame - £700 without a logbook. Fill your boots,show me where all these young people and cheap bikes are - I'll happily put on trials for them !

Nice,straight looking bike,no bling horrible coloured rims etc. A lot of fun to be had there.

The trouble is Deryk everything has moved on. Last year I fitted a new BTH electronic mag to my rigid AJS,and there is no way I'd bother going back to a Lucas racing mag.(There are 2 of them under my bed...) I can only say it has transformed the engine,it means the plug actually lasts,rather than needing constant cleaning or replacement.The built in digital advance means I can start it by hand,so easy its like falling out of bed. This is important to me as my right knee is in a pickle,one kick back and I limp for weeks,or suffer from lack of sleep because I can't get it comfy.(Its getting hard to find decent quality components to make them reliable to the standard we need - irrespective of who builds them) The truth is hardly anyone has points ignition on 4 stroke bikes now,and the regs for the Talmag banning electronic ignition is quite frankly a joke,the late Len Hutty clearly was using the same BTH electronic mag as me,and those that have a Lucas or Bth original mag fitted mostly have Interspan guts in them or an Electrex world unit fitted in the primary chaincase. I'm not saying its right,just how it is,all the Cubs and C15/B40's lost their points 20 years ago,while folk were having a moan about their Keihin carbs from CB125's. I think we need to be thankful that there are still people willing to keep ANY Pre unit bikes in use,most hide in sheds or are polished at shows.All we can do is to keep the sections sensible,where finding grip is more important than lock to lock turns or leaping over stupidly high steps.Certainly a few of the sections of last weekends Downland Trophy did not bear rigid bikes in mind whilst the marking out was done...

I think thats wishful thinking on your part Deryk - its not going to happen,two reasons,the parts even if rusty and worn out are massively expensive compared to 20 years ago.Secondly the people who would have been happy to ride such a bike are now looking to Bantams and the like because most if not all of them are too old,(Or think/feel they are) to ride a Pre unit.Riding an Ariel like the last one I had was a nightmare in todays P65 sections,too long,too heavy and the motor although lovely was a handicap too. Today's Ariels are all less than 52" wheelbase,often 50". They mostly run shortstroke 500 motors,an 86/87mm piston and a 350 crank.The engine is an inch shorter for a start.They pick up quicker and shut down quicker too.The fiddle forks and modern rear shocks are a world away from Sam's bike.An all up weight of 200 lb is easy to get down to now - less than a TY250 Yamaha as standard... The Kia Twinshock series is about as far as its going to go with a series for "Old" bikes,there are still plenty of twinshock bikes around for sensible money that are plenty good enough. I think Pre65 will decline in the coming years,the true enthusiasts all all getting to old,and there simply aren't enough younger people who are interested in building and maintaining old bikes.

Well Charlie, after riding the last of the Miller series today it would seem a lightweight Bantam/Cub/James is the way to go.Judging by the talk I heard today it seems that any rigid or pre unit bikes are not really catered for anymore,or sidecars.

I can tell you there are owners of bikes like these who can be teased out to play / compete. You only have to look at Somerton Classic's introduction to trials series to see that there are people who want to have a go - but don't want to be intimidated by very difficult sections.The third route also known as the "Gentlemans" route has a regular group of riders who like to get out and have a wobble round with like minded people - This happens at all 3 local clubs to me.

Forgot to sort this out today - not the best day at work I've ever had... But I'll be back there in the morning and I'll sort it out then. If anyone else wants the contact details, PM me and I'll send them to you.

Not filled mine out yet,I can copy it and post to you if you want.Or give me a bell work hours and I'll give you Pat's number.(Form is at work)

I always smile Deryk,usually trapped wind ! Can't do both days Ken,need to do firewood,the shed is getting low and we only have a woodburner.

Good to hear Deryk, a little bird told me today that the last Miller round may have more than the usual entry of Pre unit rigids,esp if the "Dursley Dabber" drags out Gerry's Matchbox. Looking forward to it,never ridden the Downland before, I've even cleaned out the front brake in preparation...

So whats that funny thing with the chrome shroud and what looks like a spring above the rear wheel spindle ? Can't see that catching on...

Apparently... But its all a bit hush hush,so keep it under yer hat.

Ere ! Don't be having a go at Mick - he really is the top man,has probably forgotten more about trials than most of us will ever know. I recently managed to snap this pic of him testing next years works AJS at a secret location.

Well done,there must be loads of riders who don't because they fear tight or scary sections on bikes that will struggle.Getting older bikes, and riders out enjoying themselves is what it is all about. I just wish the Miller series would take note...

None of it comes for a fiver any more, I bought a set of handlebar furniture for my "new" C15 project last week. Not including the bars it was still over £100. Building bikes IS expensive,but building engines is expensive even if you do all of the assembly and minor machining/fitting yourself. The basic components often need some final work to make them work as we want them.If you search around for instance its hard to get pistons for a 350 AJS. I spent ages asking everyone I could think of but couldn't get a new,old stock Hepolite piston anywhere. I had to settle for a JP Australian piston,which was £120 to start with. It seems many don't trust these pistons, but I had little choice - it was that or no bike. I'm lucky in having a very clever contact who was able to lighten and coat the piston,bore the gudgeon pin and make it into a decent bit of kit.I paid for that work in firewood - which I was happy to do,I just wanted a decent piston. The point I'm making is that its not just a question of spending more money than we used to,sometimes you have to search out clever folk to make things useable - and wait because they are always busy.So when the arguments start about eligibility,have a thought for how many hours someone has spent making,building,testing and modifying that bike - before you even consider money.

You sit down where you can, but alot of it was up on the pegs... Just got back from the Western Classic MCC Guy Fawkes,only about 30 miles around,but mostly off road.Now feeling very tired and aching.

I would have been there if it were not for the Western Classic MCC Guy Fawkes trial. We too had lovely weather and excellent sections. Just shows that the South West Classic trials situation is alive and kicking with top notch events. A well deserved win for Barry, always puts on a good show and has a laugh and natter - what its all about in my opinion. A big thank you to all involved in organising and running both events.

I have to say there does not have to be lots of problems in running a twinshock bike,esp if you buy one in good shape in the first place. A TY175/250 for instance requires very little to keep it going well,there is plenty in the way of info and spares to keep them running. As long as they are put together properly they are just as reliable as a modern bike. I ran my last TY250 from 2006 to last year with no problems at all,and is still running fine with its new owner. Even points ignition on them works fine with almost zero upkeep. Honda TLR's,Beamish Suzuki's,Bultaco's,Mont's and Fantics - can and are just as good,there are plenty to choose from.

Sorry, been told by more than one person to just get on with it... So I suppose that's it, I'd better get it built.

Want to buy this lot ?

Have a word with Paul. http://www.cottonvilliersspares.co.uk/

Ken, its one of them proper 4 stroke things,remember them ? Bloody AJS Stormer - Shame on you... Mostin, Mick Dickenson will do you a short stroke Ariel barrel, or for a long stroke one John Budgen.

That is a shame Deryk,but I do understand. Land permission is still our biggest problem, Defra quietly denying access all over the country with nobody saying much,all topped off with mindless idiots who couldnt care less....

As you can see I did eventually build a complete bike out of the silver frame I converted with the jig. I've done a few since and there is one which I must get on with soon...

I think VW were the unlucky ones to get caught,I think its highly likely that other manufacturers will soon be in the same position...